Non-toxic alternative to "compressed air"?
QUESTION:
Are the chemicals in the "compressed air" duster sprays for cleaning computer keyboards safe? I don't like spraying chemicals in my home if I can possibly help it.
I've read about mini-vacuums but user feedback invariably says they are useless. Are there any other alternatives to chemicals that work well?
POSTED BY L.A. :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 07/27/2009 12:04 PM
DEBRA'S ANSWER:
I looked at a few Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for compressed air dusting products and found that they all contained 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane as the active ingredient. It's a gas that has numerous health effects listed. You can read more about it at these links:
Endust Dusters MSDS
DusterTM Aerosol Dust Removal System
Personally, I'd use something else. Your question brought to my attention that my own keyboard needed cleaning. I used a pair of tweezers with sharp points (designed for removing splinters) and ran the tips between the keys. Picked up a lot of clumps of dust. I picked out the balls with the tweezers, then just blew the remaining particles away with my own breath.
Readers, any tips on cleaning computer keyboards?
Debra :-)
I like to keep my keyboard clean and use a few methods to do so that don't involve the canned air. First, I straighten out a large paperclip and use it to drag a moist and strong paper towel through and around the keys. The keys also pop off quite easily with a letter opener so removing a couple at a time and cleaning under and behind them is relatively simple. some keys however have small springs under then - usually the spacer bar and shift or control keys as they are longer but I've never had a problem getting them back on properly. If you are mechanically terrified though, you can just clean around them. As a last resort and if I don't have the time or need to do such a super cleaning job, I bring out my airbrush. Here I have to admit I have an advantage over people who are not airbrush artists but my compressor is small and portable so I just turn the air to 40 psi or more and spray away with the airbrush. Works like a charm!
POSTED BY TRACEY :: TRACEYART.COM :: :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 07/29/2009 7:11 AM
